Choosing Which Ace to Call
Strategic partner selection can make or break your hand
The Rules of Calling
- •You can only call Clubs, Spades, or Hearts (not Diamonds - it's trump!)
- •You cannot call an Ace you hold
- •You must have at least one card in the called suit (your "hold card")
- •When the called suit is first led, you must play your hold card and partner must play the Ace
Priority Order for Calling
Call a Suit You're VOID In
If you have no cards in a fail suit (and don't have that Ace), call it! When that suit is led, you can trump it while your partner takes their Ace. Best of both worlds.
Call Where You Have the Ten
Having the Ten in your called suit is powerful. When the Ace comes out, you can schmear 10 points to your partner's 11-point Ace. That's 21 points in one trick!
Call Your Shortest Suit
If you can't be void, call the suit where you have only 1-2 cards. You'll run out quickly and be able to trump that suit.
Avoid Suits You're Long In
If you have 3+ cards in a suit, calling it means you'll be stuck following that suit multiple times. Less flexibility, fewer trump opportunities.
Example Hands
Example 1: Clear Void
Your hand: Q♣ Q♠ J♥ A♦ 10♦ | A♣ K♣ | 7♥
You have Clubs and Hearts, but no Spades. And you don't have the A♠.
→ Call Spades! You're void and can trump when it's led.
Example 2: Ten Opportunity
Your hand: Q♦ J♣ J♠ 9♦ 8♦ | 10♠ 9♠ | A♥
You have A♥ (can't call Hearts) but have 10♠ and low spade. No Clubs.
→ Call Spades! You can schmear the Ten when partner plays A♠.
Example 3: No Good Options
Your hand: Q♥ Q♦ J♦ K♦ | A♣ 10♣ | A♠ 7♠
You have both black Aces! Only option is Hearts.
→ Call Hearts (your only legal choice). Consider going alone if strong enough!
When to Go Alone
Instead of calling a partner, you can go alone (1 vs 4) for bigger rewards. Consider it when:
- •You have all 4 Queens or 3+ Queens with good Jacks
- •You hold multiple fail Aces (they become your points)
- •You have 8+ trump including high ones
- •No suit works well for calling (you have all the Aces or are long everywhere)
⚠️ Going alone is high risk, high reward. You double your winnings but also double your losses!
Common Calling Mistakes
❌ Burying Your Only Card in Called Suit
Classic beginner mistake! If you call Hearts, don't bury your only Heart. You MUST have a hold card.
❌ Calling Your Longest Suit
If you have 4 Clubs, calling Clubs means following suit 4 times. That's 4 tricks where you can't trump!
❌ Ignoring the Ten Schmear
Having the Ten is almost as good as being void. Don't overlook Ace-Ten combos!
Quick Reference
| Your Hand | Best Call |
|---|---|
| Void in a suit (no Ace) | That suit - you can trump! |
| Have Ten + low card | That suit - schmear 21 pts! |
| Single low card only | That suit - quick void |
| 3+ cards, no Ten | Avoid if possible |
| Have all 3 fail Aces | Consider going alone! |